Superman Shot

Blue curaçao over a red cranberry layer — Superman's color scheme from Action Comics No. 1 (Siegel and Shuster, 1938) in a shot.

The Superman Shot draws on one of the most recognizable superhero color schemes in American popular culture -- Superman's red and blue costume, introduced when the character debuted in Action Comics No. 1, cover-dated June 1938 (the issue itself went on sale in April 1938), created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster. This shot achieves its layered appearance by pouring grenadine, then vodka, then blue curacao in careful succession, using the back of a bar spoon to keep each layer distinct -- the density differences between the ingredients allow the visual separation to hold, producing a red base, a clear middle band, and a blue top layer. Superman-themed shots and cocktails are documented in considerable variety across bar culture: some versions replace the clear vodka layer with white creme de cacao for an added color contrast, and others add a yellow band using banana liqueur for a fuller color range closer to the character's full costume. None of these versions traces to a single documented creator. The name and color combination made it a natural branded shot for superhero-themed bar events, comic book release parties, and franchise film release nights, where themed drinks have been a standard commercial offering since the 2000s.